Patents Issued in September 15, 2016
  • Publication number: 20160264398
    Abstract: A micro electro-mechanical system (MEMS) acoustic sensor is disclosed. The acoustic sensor comprises a backplate and a diaphragm. The acoustic sensor further comprises a flexible member and optional spacer member disposed between the backplate and the diaphragm resulting in a gap between the backplate and the diaphragm. The gap can vary in response to impinging pressure on the diaphragm based on the design of the flexible member and resulting in a variable capacitance between the backplate and the diaphragm. The change in the gap can result in a change in an electrical characteristic associated with the variable capacitance and can be converted to an electrical output signal corresponding to the impinging pressure on the diaphragm. The flexible member can be part of the backplate or diaphragm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2015
    Publication date: September 15, 2016
    Inventors: Sushil Bharatan, Baris Cagdaser
  • Publication number: 20160264399
    Abstract: A MEMS transducer includes a first substrate and a second substrate facing the first substrate. The first substrate includes a piezoelectric diaphragm and a conductive contact structure. The conductive contact structure is electrically connected to the piezoelectric diaphragm, and protrudes beyond a principal surface of the first substrate. The second substrate includes a conductive receiving feature and an active device. The conductive receiving feature is aligned with and further bonded to the conductive contact structure. The active device is electrically connected to the piezoelectric diaphragm through the conductive receiving feature and the conductive contact structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2015
    Publication date: September 15, 2016
    Inventors: Chun-Ren CHENG, Richard YEN, Yi-Hsien CHANG, Wei-Cheng SHEN
  • Publication number: 20160264400
    Abstract: CMOS Ultrasonic Transducers and processes for making such devices are described. The processes may include forming cavities on a first wafer and bonding the first wafer to a second wafer. The second wafer may be processed to form a membrane for the cavities. Electrical access to the cavities may be provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2016
    Publication date: September 15, 2016
    Applicant: Butterfly Network, Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan M. Rothberg, Keith G. Fife, Tyler S. Ralston, Gregory L. Charvat, Nevada J. Sanchez
  • Publication number: 20160264401
    Abstract: A MEMS structure that provides an improved way to selectively control electromechanical properties of a MEMS device with an applied voltage. The MEMS structure includes a capacitor element that comprises at least one stator element, and at least one rotor element suspended for motion parallel to a first direction in relation to the stator element. The stator element and the rotor element form at least one capacitor element, the capacitance of which varies according to displacement of the rotor element from an initial position. The stator element and the rotor element are mutually oriented such that in at least one range of displacements of the rotor element from an initial position, the second derivative of the capacitance with respect to the displacement has negative values.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2016
    Publication date: September 15, 2016
    Inventors: Matti LIUKKU, Jaakko RUOHIO, Hannu VESTERINEN
  • Publication number: 20160264402
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a wafer level chip scale package (WLCSP) with a stress absorbing cap substrate. The cap substrate is bonded to a die through a bond ring and a bond pad arranged on an upper surface of the cap substrate. A through substrate via (TSV) extends from the bond pad, through the cap substrate, to a lower surface of the cap substrate. Further, recesses in the upper surface extend around the bond pad and along sidewalls of the bond ring. The recesses absorb induced stress, thereby mitigating any device offset in the die.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2015
    Publication date: September 15, 2016
    Inventors: Shao-Chi Yu, Chia-Ming Hung, Hsin-Ting Huang, Hsiang-Fu Chen, Allen Timothy Chang, Wen-Chuan Tai
  • Publication number: 20160264403
    Abstract: A sensor device includes sensors that sense different physical stimuli. Fabrication of the device entails forming a device structure having a first and second wafer layers with a signal routing layer interposed between them. Active transducer elements of one or more sensors are formed in the second wafer layer. A third wafer layer is attached with the second wafer layer to produce one or more cavities in which the active transducer elements are located. Ports may be formed in the third wafer layer to adjust the pressure within the cavities during manufacture. The third wafer layer includes either a reference element or diaphragm of a pressure sensor. A fourth wafer layer may be coupled to the third wafer layer. The third and fourth wafer layers can include active and non-active circuitry such as integrated circuits, sensor components, microcontrollers, and the like.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2015
    Publication date: September 15, 2016
    Inventors: MAMUR CHOWDHURY, BRUNO J. DEBEURRE, MATTHIEU LAGOUGE, DAVID J. MONK, BABAK A. TAHERI
  • Publication number: 20160264404
    Abstract: This document discusses, among other things, a cap wafer and a via wafer configured to encapsulate a single proof-mass 3-axis gyroscope formed in an x-y plane of a device layer. The single proof-mass 3-axis gyroscope can include a main proof-mass section suspended about a single, central anchor, the main proof-mass section including a radial portion extending outward towards an edge of the 3-axis gyroscope sensor, a central suspension system configured to suspend the 3-axis gyroscope from the single, central anchor, and a drive electrode including a moving portion and a stationary portion, the moving portion coupled to the radial portion, wherein the drive electrode and the central suspension system are configured to oscillate the 3-axis gyroscope about a z-axis normal to the x-y plane at a drive frequency.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2016
    Publication date: September 15, 2016
    Inventor: Cenk Acar
  • Publication number: 20160264405
    Abstract: Micro-Electro-Mechanical System (MEMS) structures, methods of manufacture and design structures are disclosed. The method includes forming a Micro-Electro-Mechanical System (MEMS) beam structure by venting both tungsten material and silicon material above and below the MEMS beam to form an upper cavity above the MEMS beam and a lower cavity structure below the MEMS beam.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2016
    Publication date: September 15, 2016
    Inventors: Michael T. Brigham, Christopher V. Jahnes, Cameron E. Luce, Jeffrey C. Maling, William J. Murphy, Anthony K. Stamper, Eric J. White
  • Publication number: 20160264406
    Abstract: Micro-Electro-Mechanical System (MEMS) structures, methods of manufacture and design structures are disclosed. The method includes forming a Micro-Electro-Mechanical System (MEMS) beam structure by venting both tungsten material and silicon material above and below the MEMS beam to form an upper cavity above the MEMS beam and a lower cavity structure below the MEMS beam.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2016
    Publication date: September 15, 2016
    Inventors: Michael T. Brigham, Christopher V. Jahnes, Cameron E. Luce, Jeffrey C. Maling, William J. Murphy, Anthony K. Stamper, Eric J. White
  • Publication number: 20160264407
    Abstract: Methods of forming porous nano-scale or micro-scale structured materials and structured materials formed thereby. Such methods entail providing a donor material and reacting the donor material to form a compound that deposits on a surface of a substrate to produce nano-scale or micro-scale geometric features of the structured material. In particular embodiments, the donor material is in a solution and the reacting step is performed by contacting the surface of the substrate with the solution and directing heat through the solution onto the surface to locally heat a portion of the solution in contact therewith.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2015
    Publication date: September 15, 2016
    Inventors: Chunghorng Richard Liu, Zhikun Liu
  • Publication number: 20160264408
    Abstract: A method of forming microneedles where through a series of coating and etching processes microneedles are formed from a surface as an array. The microneedles have a bevelled end and bore which are formed as part of the process with no need to use a post manufacturing process to finish the microneedle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2014
    Publication date: September 15, 2016
    Inventors: Yufei LUI, Owen GUY
  • Publication number: 20160264409
    Abstract: MEMS devices and methods for forming the same are provided. A first metal interconnect structure is formed on a first semiconductor substrate to connect to a CMOS control circuit in the first semiconductor substrate. A bonding layer having a cavity is formed on the first metal interconnect structure, and then bonded with a second semiconductor substrate. A conductive plug passes through a first region of the second semiconductor substrate, through the bonding layer, and on the first metal interconnect structure. A second metal interconnect structure includes a first end formed on the first region of the second semiconductor substrate, and a second end connected to the conductive plug. Through-holes are disposed through a second region of the second semiconductor substrate and through a top portion of the bonded layer that is on the cavity to leave a movable electrode to form the MEMS device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2016
    Publication date: September 15, 2016
    Inventors: XUANJIE LIU, HONGMEI XIE, LIANGLIANG GUO
  • Publication number: 20160264410
    Abstract: Micro-Electro-Mechanical System (MEMS) structures, methods of manufacture and design structures are disclosed. The method includes forming a Micro-Electro-Mechanical System (MEMS) beam structure by venting both tungsten material and silicon material above and below the MEMS beam to form an upper cavity above the MEMS beam and a lower cavity structure below the MEMS beam.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2016
    Publication date: September 15, 2016
    Inventors: Michael T. Brigham, Christopher V. Jahnes, Cameron E. Luce, Jeffrey C. Maling, William J. Murphy, Anthony K. Stamper, Eric J. White
  • Publication number: 20160264411
    Abstract: A process for producing ammonia make-up synthesis gas and a procedure for revamping a front-end of an ammonia plant for producing ammonia make-up synthesis gas are disclosed, wherein the make-up synthesis gas is produced by means of steam reforming of a hydrocarbon gaseous feedstock; said front-end includes a primary reformer, a secondary reformer, a shift conversion section, a CO2 removal section and optionally a methanation section; a shell-and-tube gas-heated reformer is installed after said secondary reformer, and a portion of the available feedstock is reformed in the tubes of said gas-heated reformer, and heat is provided to the shell side of said gas-heated reformer by at least a portion of product gas leaving the secondary reformer, possibly mixed with product gas leaving the tubes of said gas-heated reformer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2014
    Publication date: September 15, 2016
    Applicant: Casale SA
    Inventors: Ermanno FILIPPI, Raffaele OSTUNI
  • Publication number: 20160264412
    Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of preparing carbon monoxide (CO) and hydrogen (H2) by reacting biomass, a biomass component (e.g., lignin, ligno-cellulose, cellulose, hemiceullose or combination thereof) or a carbohydrate from any source with a polyoxometalate catalyst such as H5PV2Mo10O40, or solvates thereof, in the presence of a concentrated acid, under conditions sufficient to yield carbon monoxide (CO); followed by electrochemical release of hydrogen (H2). The carbon monoxide (CO) and hydrogen (H2) may be combined in any desired proportion to yield synthesis gas (Syngas). The present invention further relates to methods for preparing H2, CO and formic acid/formaldehyde from biomass, a biomass component and/or from carbohydrates.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2014
    Publication date: September 15, 2016
    Inventors: Ronny NEUMANN, Bidyut-Bikash SARMA
  • Publication number: 20160264413
    Abstract: A method for operating a hydrogen generator includes producing a hydrogen-containing gas from a source gas fed from a hydrodesulfurizer and reforming water with a reformer; feeding part of the hydrogen-containing gas to the hydrodesulfurizer as a recycle gas, and removing a sulfur compound contained in the source gas with the hydrodesulfurizer; condensing water vapor contained in the recycle gas in a recycle-gas channel through which the recycle gas flows, and separating the resulting condensed water from the recycle-gas channel; and regulating the amount of reforming water fed to the reformer on the basis of the temperature of the reformer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2016
    Publication date: September 15, 2016
    Inventors: MIKI ABE, AKINORI YUKIMASA
  • Publication number: 20160264414
    Abstract: A liquid fuel reformer (400) includes a fuel vaporizer (415) which utilizes heat from an upstream source of heat, specifically, an electric heater (406), operable in the start-up mode of the reformer (400), and therefore independent of the reforming reaction zone of the reformer, to vaporize fuel in a downstream vaporization zone.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2014
    Publication date: September 15, 2016
    Inventors: Caine M. Finnerty, Paul DeWald
  • Publication number: 20160264415
    Abstract: A plant and a process for improved reforming of fluids comprising hydrocarbons. Said production process comprising the steps of: at a first steam mixing point adding a first amount of steam to a process stream obtaining a “first stream mix” and supplying the first stream mix to a prereformer. At a second steam mixing point adding a second amount of steam to the effluent of the prereformer thereby obtaining a “second stream mix” followed by one or more subsequent reforming step.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 11, 2014
    Publication date: September 15, 2016
    Inventors: Niels Andersen, Madhanakrishnan Janardhanan
  • Publication number: 20160264416
    Abstract: A chemical reactor (e.g. reformer reactor) system includes a manifold (126) for management of a flow of gaseous reaction medium thereto. Manifold (126) includes manifold housing (128) defining manifold chamber (129) and having at least one additional component selected from: a gas distributor (127); a heater; and a cavity having a seal within or adjacent to it.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2014
    Publication date: September 15, 2016
    Inventors: Caine M. Finnerty, Paul DeWald
  • Publication number: 20160264417
    Abstract: This invention relates to a process for the production of hydrogen from a hydrocarbon feedstock and steam comprising: A stage for the production of a synthesis gas in a unit for the steam-reforming of the hydrocarbon feedstock, A stage for shift conversion with steam of the synthesis gas that is obtained in the preceding stage producing a hydrogen stream that contains methane and carbon dioxide, A stage for recovering carbon dioxide and methane, present in the stream that is obtained in the shift conversion stage, in the form of hydrates that produce a stream of pure hydrogen, A stage for regeneration of methane, A stage for recycling methane to steam reforming.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2016
    Publication date: September 15, 2016
    Applicant: IFP ENERGIES NOUVELLES
    Inventors: Pierre Antoine BOUILLON, Raphael HUYGHE, Rafael LUGO, Fabrice GIROUDIERE
  • Publication number: 20160264418
    Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for compressing and/or cooling and purifying a feed gas that is rich in CO2 and contains water and impurities and at least one other component, wherein said apparatus includes a compressor and/or a cooler, means for delivering the feed gas into the compressor, means for recovering the water, contained in the feed gas, condensed during the compression, a unit for purification by adsorption containing adsorbent beds, means for delivering the compressed feed gas to the purification unit in order to produce a compressed and dried feed gas, a unit for purification at sub-ambient temperature, means for delivering the compressed and dried feed gas to the purification unit, means for extracting a fluid enriched with CO2 from the purification unit and means for mixing a gas that has been used as a regeneration gas of an adsorption bed with at least one portion of the condensed water.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2014
    Publication date: September 15, 2016
    Applicant: L'Air Liquide, Societe Anonyme pour l'Etude et l'Exploitation des Procedes Georges Claude
    Inventors: Mathieu LECLERC, Christophe SZAMLEWSKI
  • Publication number: 20160264419
    Abstract: An ozone generator includes one or more electrode pairs each containing two electrodes arranged at a distance of a predetermined gap length and a power source for applying an alternating-current voltage between the two electrodes. In the ozone generator, ozone is produced when a source gas flows at least between the two electrodes and a discharge is generated between the two electrodes. The ozone generator has a discharge space formed between the two electrodes, and the ozone generator satisfies the condition of 0.5<V/f/L wherein V (m/s) represents a flow velocity of the source gas flowing through the discharge space, f (Hz) represents a frequency of the alternating-current voltage, and L (m) represents a length of the discharge space in the main flow direction of the source gas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2016
    Publication date: September 15, 2016
    Applicant: NGK INSULATORS, LTD.
    Inventors: Yoshimasa KONDO, Shoji YOKOI, Tatsuya TERAZAWA, Naoya TAKASE
  • Publication number: 20160264420
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to a process for producing sulfuric acid with reduced levels of niter. The process involves (a) providing an absorption tower wherein sulfur trioxide is absorbed in a sulfuric acid feed having a first sulfuric acid solution to produce a sulfuric acid effluent having (i) a second sulfuric acid solution which has a higher concentration than the first sulfuric acid solution, (ii) a niter concentration greater than about 5 ppm (as NO3), and (iii) a temperature greater than 100° C.; and (b) contacting a first purifying agent comprising sulfamic acid and a second purifying agent comprising hydrogen peroxide with the sulfuric acid effluent to form a treated sulfuric acid effluent, the treated sulfuric acid effluent being maintained at a temperature of greater than 100° C. for a maintenance period of at least about 1 minute.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2015
    Publication date: September 15, 2016
    Inventor: HASAN DINDI
  • Publication number: 20160264421
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a multilayer graphene structure includes a first layer of graphene, a second layer of graphene; and an interstitial layer bonding the first layer of graphene to the second layer of graphene, wherein the interstitial layer comprises a polyaromatic compound. In another embodiment, a multilayer graphene structure is fabricated by providing a first layer of graphene, providing a second layer of graphene, and providing a first interstitial layer between the first layer of graphene and the second layer of graphene, wherein the first interstitial layer comprises a polyaromatic compound. In another embodiment, a multilayer graphene structure includes a plurality of layers of graphene and a plurality of interstitial layers formed of at least one polyaromatic compound, where each pair of the layers of graphene is bonded by one of the interstitial layers, such that a structure comprising alternating layers of graphene and interstitial layers is formed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2015
    Publication date: September 15, 2016
    Inventors: Jose Miguel Lobez Comeras, Christos D. Dimitrakopoulos, Aaron D. Franklin, Joshua T. Smith
  • Publication number: 20160264422
    Abstract: Nano polycrystalline diamond is composed of carbon, an element of different type which is an element other than carbon and is added to be dispersed in carbon at an atomic level, and an inevitable impurity. The polycrystalline diamond has a crystal grain size not greater than 500 nm. The polycrystalline diamond can be fabricated by subjecting graphite in which the element of different type which is an element other than carbon has been added to be dispersed in carbon at an atomic level to heat treatment within high-pressure press equipment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2016
    Publication date: September 15, 2016
    Inventors: Kazuhiro Ikeda, Keiko Arimoto, Katsuko Yamamoto, Hitoshi Sumiya, Takeshi Sato
  • Publication number: 20160264423
    Abstract: A coal upgrade plant includes: a dryer 1 that dries coal; a pyrolyzer 3 that pyrolyzes the coal dried by the dryer 1; a quencher 5 that cools the coal pyrolyzed by the pyrolyzer 3; a finisher 7 that deactivates the coal cooled by the quencher 5; and cyclones 28 and 94 that collect pulverized coal generated from the coal, wherein the pulverized coal collected by the cyclones 28 and 94 is fed to an absorber fed to a scrubber 32 that treats a flue gas. Thus, the mercury generated from the coal upgrade plant can be removed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2015
    Publication date: September 15, 2016
    Applicant: MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Shintaro Honjo, Kiyotaka Kunimune, Motofumi Ito, Junji Asahara
  • Publication number: 20160264424
    Abstract: A process for the purification of CO2 from chlorinated hydrocarbons and non-chlorinated hydrocarbons, comprising: contacting a CO2 stream with a chromium oxide catalyst, wherein the stream comprises the CO2, and impurities, wherein the impurities comprise the non-chlorinated hydrocarbons and the chlorinated hydrocarbons; forming a purified CO2 stream by interacting the impurities with the chromium oxide catalyst to form additional CO2 and chromium chloride; and regenerating the chromium oxide catalyst by contacting the chromium chloride with an oxygen containing gas stream.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2014
    Publication date: September 15, 2016
    Inventors: Aghaddin Kh. Mammadov, Clark David Rea
  • Publication number: 20160264425
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for producing semiconductor-grade high-purity polycrystalline silicon in a dosed system, the method comprising recovering chlorosilane contained in reaction exhaust gas and circulating the recovered chlorosilane to resupply and reuse the recovered chlorosilane for polycrystalline silicon deposition reaction without discharging the recovered chlorosilane out of the system. The present invention employs a process design including: step D of obtaining chlorosilane with a reduced impurity content from recovered chlorosilane fractionated in step C; and a step of supplying the chlorosilane with a reduced impurity content, which is obtained in the step D, to step A which is a step of depositing polycrystalline silicon.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2014
    Publication date: September 15, 2016
    Applicant: Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masahiko ISHIDA, Shigeyosh NETSU, Hiroshi SAITO, Masayuki HASEGAWA
  • Publication number: 20160264426
    Abstract: Disclosed are methods of selectively synthesizing inorganic silanes, such as halosilane and dihalosilane, comprising the step of reacting the halide or halogen (i.e., HX or X2 wherein X is Cl, Br, or I) with RSiH3, wherein R is an unsaturated C4 to C8 cyclic hydrocarbon or heterocycle group, provided that a C6 cyclic aromatic includes at least one hydrocarbyl ligand, in the presence of a catalyst, to produce RH and the inorganic silane having the formula SixHaXb, wherein x=1-4; a=1-9; b=1-9; and a+b=2x+2.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2016
    Publication date: September 15, 2016
    Inventors: Sean KERRIGAN, Zhiwen WAN, Jean-Marc GIRARD
  • Publication number: 20160264427
    Abstract: Provided is a method for preparing a hydrophobic silica aerogel by using a Soxhlet extraction, and a hydrophobic silica aerogel prepared by using the method. Since the preparation method according to the present invention may simultaneously perform washing and drying of a hydrophobic silica wet gel as well as solvent substitution and may remove an extraction solvent without an additional separation process, a hydrophobic silica aerogel having low tap density and high specific surface area may be easily prepared.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2015
    Publication date: September 15, 2016
    Inventors: Kyoung Shil OH, Jin Hee OH, Ye Hon KIM, Dong Hyun CHO, Mi Ri KIM, Sung Min YU, Je Kyun LEE
  • Publication number: 20160264428
    Abstract: The present invention relates to structure directing agents for synthesis of crystalline materials generally known as zeolites, by use of an enhanced content of the trans isomer of a 3,5-dimethyl-N,N-dimethylpiperidinium cation together with the conventional oxides used to form zeolites.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2016
    Publication date: September 15, 2016
    Inventor: Roger MOULTON
  • Publication number: 20160264429
    Abstract: Hydrotalcite particles having an extremely small average secondary particle diameter and a production process therefor. A resin composition comprising hydrotalcite fine particles and having excellent transparency and a molded article thereof. The hydrotalcite fine particles have an average secondary particle diameter measured by a dynamic light scattering method of 5 to 100 nm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2016
    Publication date: September 15, 2016
    Inventors: Yusuke KUROGI, Tsukasa NAKAMURA, Shigeo MIYATA
  • Publication number: 20160264430
    Abstract: The compound according to the invention is a compound of formula (1) Ax W1-yMOyO3, wherein A is chosen from the group comprising the Li, Na, NH4, K and H cations, and it is characterised in that x and y verify the relationships 0?x?1 and 0?y?0.5, and in that it has a crystalline structure of the hexagonal type with a base of WO6 octahedra, said structure having tunnels delimited by 6, 4 and 3 of said octahedra and oriented along the axis c.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2014
    Publication date: September 15, 2016
    Inventors: Valérie BUISSETTE, Thierry LE MERCIER, Julie BESNARDIERE, Sophie CASSAIGNON, David PORTEHAULT, Gilles WALLEZ
  • Publication number: 20160264431
    Abstract: Purification methods for polluted water and a purification system needed to carry out the same. At least one respective evaporation device and at least one condensation region are disposed in a flow channel, and an air flow flows around both. In a humidifier, the air flow is loaded with moisture, and the moisture is condensed out again in the condensation region. The flow channel is a closed circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2014
    Publication date: September 15, 2016
    Inventors: Torsten ENDERS, Kerstin GUTEWORT
  • Publication number: 20160264432
    Abstract: A process for treating water containing heavy metals is provided comprising removing petroleum coke from a coking operation; forming a petroleum coke/water slurry by adding the water to be treated to the petroleum coke; and depositing the petroleum coke/water slurry into a containment cell and retaining the petroleum coke/water slurry in the cell for a retention time sufficient to remove a portion of the heavy metals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2015
    Publication date: September 15, 2016
    Inventors: WARREN ZUBOT, GAIL BUCHANAN
  • Publication number: 20160264433
    Abstract: The apparatus for water treatment using in-situ activation of a manganese dioxide catalyst includes: a reaction bath configured to give a space where aqueous organic contaminants are removed by means of reaction with permanganate (MnO4?) generated by electrochemical oxidation of manganese oxide (MnO2); a plurality of manganese dioxide catalysts provided at the reaction bath and electrochemically oxidized into permanganate (MnO4?) by a voltage applied thereto; and a power supply device configured to apply power to the manganese dioxide catalyst so that the manganese dioxide (MnO2) is electrochemically oxidized into permanganate (MnO4?).
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2016
    Publication date: September 15, 2016
    Applicant: Korea Institute of Science and Technology
    Inventors: Seok Won HONG, Kang Woo CHO, Yunchul CHUNG, Sanghyup LEE, Boyoung JEONG
  • Publication number: 20160264434
    Abstract: A separator comprises a housing and a separator chamber contained within the housing, an inlet and outlet to the separator chamber and a dividing member for substantially dividing the separator chamber into a first chamber and a second chamber. A flow path is provided between the first and second chambers for allowing flow to circulate between the first and second chambers, and guide means for creating opposing flow paths in the second chamber for slowing flow through the second chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2016
    Publication date: September 15, 2016
    Inventor: Matthew Taylor
  • Publication number: 20160264435
    Abstract: A method of manufacture of high-solids hydroxide slurries from caustic calcined carbonate powder is described, whereby the properties of the slurry are its low resistance to shear thinning to facilitate transport, a high stability for transport and storage, ease of reconstitution after long periods of storage, and, as required, a high concentration of chemically reactive species at the particle surface. The method achieves these specifications by mixing caustic calcined carbonate or hydroxide powder with water in an insulated reactor vessel, and agitating the slurry sufficiently such that the hydration reaction causes the water to spontaneously boil, such that the remaining hydration proceeds spontaneously under the fixed conditions of boiling through the water loss. The mixing process is preferably carried out by a shear pump. A viscosity modifier, such as acetic acid, is used to thin the slurry to enable the mixing system to maintain uniform mixing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2014
    Publication date: September 15, 2016
    Applicants: Calix Ltd, Calix Ltd
    Inventors: Mark SCEATS, Adam VINCENT
  • Publication number: 20160264436
    Abstract: A fluid treatment apparatus includes a reactor that decomposes an organic matter contained in a mixed fluid of a fluid to be treated and an oxidizing agent, an oxidizing agent injector that includes an injection port to inject the oxidizing agent into the reactor, a fluid discharger that is disposed to surround the oxidizing agent injector and includes an outlet to discharge the fluid in the reactor, and a pressurizer that pressurizes the oxidizing agent. The fluid discharger has a fluid passage a diameter of which is larger than a maximum particle diameter of a solid material contained in the fluid and a shape of which does not create a pressure difference in the fluid passage, the outlet of the fluid discharger being provided to discharge the fluid toward the oxidizing agent injector. The apparatus atomizes the fluid by pressure energy of the injected oxidizing agent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2016
    Publication date: September 15, 2016
    Inventors: Kenichi HAYAKAWA, Satoshi SHINOHARA, Toshiyuki MUTOH, Shogo SUZUKI, Yuu ZAMA, Kimio AOKI
  • Publication number: 20160264437
    Abstract: A media bed in a biological reactor is backwashed in a plurality of short pulses. An outlet of the reactor is preferably located above, but close to, the top of the bed. During a pulse, the outlet is closed and the bed may be fluidized or otherwise expanded to above the level of the outlet. Between pulses, the bed settles to below the level of the outlet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2015
    Publication date: September 15, 2016
    Inventors: Minggang LIU, Jake GOLDSTEIN, Carsten OWERDIECK, Nelson FONSECA
  • Publication number: 20160264438
    Abstract: A system for treating wastewater containing selenium has a sequencing batch reactor upstream of a fixed film reactor. The sequencing batch reactor may be operated under anoxic conditions while influent is mixed with residual sludge. The SBR reduces total nitrogen, suspended solids, or both. Selenium is removed in the fixed film reactor by biological reduction to elemental selenium.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2015
    Publication date: September 15, 2016
    Inventors: Minggang LIU, Jeffrey Ronald CUMIN, Glenn VICEVIC, Carsten OWERDIECK, Nelson FONSECA
  • Publication number: 20160264439
    Abstract: This specification describes a process and apparatus for treating water comprising selenium. A process is described having the steps of treating the wastewater influent using a biological reduction process to produce an intermediary stream and reducing the concentration of unconsumed constituents in the intermediary stream by means of filtration optionally with upstream coagulation or flocculation. When compared to the wastewater influent, the intermediary stream preferably has reduced concentration of the selenium species when compared to the wastewater influent. When compared to the intermediary stream, the effluent preferably has reduced concentration of one or more of the inorganic non-metallic constituents (such as nitrogen, phosphorous and sulphur), metallic constituents or organic constituents. An apparatus is described herein having a fixed film reactor configured to receive a wastewater influent, and a membrane filter configured to receive effluent from the fixed film reactor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2015
    Publication date: September 15, 2016
    Inventors: Jake GOLDSTEIN, Minggang LIU, Carsten OWERDIECK, Nelson FONSECA, Joel Alexander CITULSKI
  • Publication number: 20160264440
    Abstract: A bioreactor has a biofilm supporting bed with at least two types of media. An upper media is relatively porous, preferably porous enough to admit particles of a lower media. In use, wastewater flows downwards through the bed. Soluble nitrogen is reduced in the upper media and converted into nitrogen gas. Nitrogen gas bubbles rise through the upper media and escape from the bed. Selenium is reduced in the lower media and converted into elemental selenium. The elemental selenium is released periodically by backwashing the bed, which may cause fluidization or other expansion of the lower media into the upper media.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2015
    Publication date: September 15, 2016
    Inventors: Nelson FONSECA, Jeffrey Ronald CUMIN, Joel Alexander CITULSKI
  • Publication number: 20160264441
    Abstract: A method for biologically treating effluent involves pouring the effluent into a basin in which mobile supports are submerged for developing a biofilm and for carrying out a treatment by fixed fluidized bed, aerating the effluent in the basin with a distribution of air flow, from the bottom of the basin, according to a floor configuration, the aeration supplying air for treating the nutrients, and keeping the supports moving, regulating the aeration to modulate the air flow depending on at least one parameter taken from the following parameters: the residual oxygen concentration, and/or the concentration of oxygen and the concentration of N—NH4, and/or the permitted load; modifying the distribution of the air supply from the floor configuration to a spiral flow configuration when the operating conditions result in an air flow lower than a minimum air flow required to keep the mobile supports moving in the floor configuration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2014
    Publication date: September 15, 2016
    Inventors: Laure GRAVELEAU, Troy HOLST
  • Publication number: 20160264442
    Abstract: A nutrient concentration and water recovery system includes an initial waste water dewatering tank configured to receive waste water and producing a waste stream. A suspended solid settling tank includes an integral lamella clarifier configured to produce a discharge to a surge tank or repurposed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2015
    Publication date: September 15, 2016
    Inventor: Robert KNOOP
  • Publication number: 20160264443
    Abstract: Wastewater such as water discharged by the human body and domestic wastewater which is produced in a confined space, can be treated and recovered with efficiency by using a simple apparatus. Specifically, hardness components of water-to-be-treated are removed with a softening apparatus. Subsequently, electrolysis is performed with a high-temperature high-pressure electrolysis apparatus in order to decompose and remove organic substances, urea, ammonia, and the like. The electrolyzed water is desalinated with a desalination electrodialysis apparatus in order to produce product water and a salt-concentrated liquid. The salt-concentrated liquid is further treated with an acid-alkali production electrodialysis apparatus in order to produce desalinated water, an acid solution, and an alkali solution. The acid solution is used as an agent for regenerating the softening apparatus. The alkali solution is used as an agent for converting the softening apparatus into Na-type.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2013
    Publication date: September 15, 2016
    Inventors: Yukitaka MATSUMOTO, Hideki KOBAYASHI, Nobuhiro ORITA
  • Publication number: 20160264444
    Abstract: A thermal treatment system and method is disclosed for processing organic material. In a first embodiment, the system includes a thermal input device and a reaction device to thermally treat organic material to achieve cell lysing and cell formation, a separation device to separate inert solids from the organic material to produce a liquid stream with low concentrations of suspended solids, and a “high rate” biological treatment device to produce methane from the liquid stream. In a second embodiment, the system includes a pre-thickening device to minimize feed volume by pre-thickening prior to thermal treatment a thermal input device, a reaction device, and a solids separation device to selectively remove dense, inert particles from the thermally treated organic material prior to anaerobic biological treatment, with waste biosolids from anaerobic treatment being recycled to the pre-thickening device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2014
    Publication date: September 15, 2016
    Inventor: Joseph E. Zuback
  • Publication number: 20160264445
    Abstract: The present invention discloses improved methods and apparatus for forming sheet glass. In one embodiment, the invention introduces a counteracting force to the stresses on the forming structure in a manner such that the thermal creep which inevitably occurs has a minimum impact on the glass flow characteristics of the forming structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2015
    Publication date: September 15, 2016
    Inventor: Richard Bruce Pitbladdo
  • Publication number: 20160264446
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a process for producing foam glassy materials. The process includes providing a precursor foam glassy formulation, the precursor foam glassy formulation comprising a micronized glassy material, in which the micronized glassy material being any one or any combination of ceramic opaque frits, transparent frits, flux frit, glazes, waste from kaolin processing, porcelain waste products, slag, cement, concrete, waste tile products and a foaming agent. The precursor foam glassy formulation is then processed to form a foam glassy product by firing the precursor foam glassy formulation to a temperature in a range from about 800° C. to about 900° C., followed by a step of annealing, followed by a step of cooling to produce a foam glassy product. The chemical, mechanical, physical properties of the final foam glassy material may be adjusted or tuned by adjusting the amounts of the various constituents making up the precursor foam glassy material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2015
    Publication date: September 15, 2016
    Inventors: Abbas YOUSSEFI, Amir Hossein YOUSSEFI
  • Publication number: 20160264447
    Abstract: A method for producing a blank from titanium-doped, highly silicic-acidic glass having a specified fluorine content for use in EUV lithography is described, in which the thermal expansion coefficient over the operating temperature remains at zero as stably as possible. The course of the thermal expansion coefficient of Ti-doped silica glass depends on a plurality of influencing factors. In addition to the absolute titanium content, the distribution of the titanium is of significant importance, as is the ratio and distribution of additional doping elements, such as fluorine. In the method, fluorine-doped TiO2—SiO2 soot particles are generated and processed further via consolidation and vitrifying into the blank, and, by flame hydrolysis of input substances containing silicon and titanium, TiO2—SiO2-soot particles are formed, exposed to a reagent containing fluorine in a moving powder bed, and converted to the fluorine-doped TiO2—SiO2-soot particles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2014
    Publication date: September 15, 2016
    Inventors: Stefan OCHS, Klaus BECKER